Improvement in waxed-thread sewing-machines



`4 Slex-tsrsheef."'1.A T. L `HALLIGAN.

Waxed Thread Sewing Nlamhine.`

'Patented April 24, .866.

M'fncases .l

N4 PETERS, Plwwulhugnpmr. wuhlngton. DJ;

. y 4 Sheets Sheet L HALLIGAN.

`Waxed Thread ASewing Machine.

Patented April 24,y 1866.

[ny-caan- N. PETERS. PhuxwLilhugnphur, wzmmgvon. n c.

T. J. HALLIGAN.

Waxed Thread Sewing 'Matzhilna No. 54,145. A 'Patented Aprn- 24, v1866.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' J. HALLI'GAN. WaXed Thread Sewing Machine.

Patented April 24, i866.

N. PETERS. PnnmLiihugmphw. wasmngwn. D. c4

1 UNITEDY STATES PATENT EErcE.

THOMAS J. HALLIGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54, i115, dated April 24, 1866.

To all whom t inay concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. HALLTGAN, of the city and county of New York, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements on WaXed-Thread Sewing- Machines; and I do hereby declare-that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this Specification, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken in a vertical plane through the center of the sewing-machine and the contrivances for waxing the thread of the upper spool. Fig. 2 is atop view ofthe sewing-machine and its waxing devices. Fig. 3 is a side view of a lamp for heating the wax-cup, which is on top of the machine. Fig. 4c is a diametrical section through an improved feed-wheel for feeding the work beneath the needle. Figs. 5, 6, 6', and 62 show the improved shuttle. Figs. 6' and 62 show a modication of the spring-tension device. Fig. 7, Sheet 2, is a transverse vertical' section through the table of the sewing-machine, showing the mode of heating those parts beneath this table which are exposed to wax, and also the mode of producing tension on the lower thread at the moment of tightening astitch. Fig. 8 is a top view of a portion of the table, showing the shuttle and its guides. Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section through the upper spool and its adjustable supports. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the upper wax-cup, having one side broken away to show the devices contained therein. Fig. l1 is a sectional View, showing the manner of producing tension on the lower thread while a stitch is being drawn tight. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section through the perpendicular head of the bracket-arm, showing the manner of guiding the needle-bar. Figs. 13 and 14: show the mode of securing the needle and its awl to the needle-bar. Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the sewing-machine table, showing the mechanism for opening the loop of the upper thread to allow the shuttle to pass through the loop. Fig. 16 shows the form of cam on the main driving-shaft for vibratingthe hooked loop-opener. Fig. 17 shows the hooked loopl opener inthe act of spreadingv a loop.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre spondin g parts in the several figures.

bar A2, and can he adjusted closer to this bar as it wears loose.

Near the rear end of the bracket A is a take-up bar, B, which is pivoted in such mauner to said bracket as to vibrate in a vertical plane, the vibration being given to it in any suitable manner by mechanism contained within the bracket-arm for giving motion to the needle-bar. The upper end of this bar B is forked, and has a transverse rod between the forks, upon which is placed a grooved pulley,

B', which pulley is allowed to rotate freely and also to slide endwise upon its bar. (Shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 9.)

In front of the take-up bar B, and secured between vertical standards B2 B3, is a metallic spool, B4, having a central hole through it, asv

shown in Fig. 9. This spool is supported by conical tubular bearings a a2, which are formed onv the upper ends of the two standards B2 B3. The standard B2 is fixed rigidly to the bracket A', and is immov-able, but the standard B3 can be adj usted outward by loosening the thumbscrew a3 when it is desired to remove the spool B4.

The transverse bar b is fixed at one end to the standard B2 and passes loosely through the opposite standard, B3, receiving upon its end a thumb-screw, b', by means of which the bearings a a2 can be made to press withgreater or less force upon the spool B4, according to the freedom with which itis desired to have this spool turn about its axis.

In front of the spool Bt1 is an oblong cup, O, for containing wax. This cup is supported upon the ,bracket A by means of Ia standard, C', and a forward boxed standard, O2. Within this cup, and at its forward and rear ends,-

are two rollers, G3 C4, the latterone of which has a concave surface for keeping the waxed thread in the middle of its length. The roller at the rear end of the box O may be cylindrical.

The thread to be waxed passes from the spool B4 to the groovedpulley on ythe takeup bar B, and from this pulley it is carried forward over the roller G3, thence down i-ntothe wax inthe cup C, beneatli a transverse bar,

the thread on the spoolBf, and prevents this spoel# from turning loosely and thus leaving the thread too loose.

When waxed thread is wound upon the'spool B4, and it is not necessary to wax the thread by passingit through the cup C, a lamp, E, is arranged beneath the wax-cup C, or on one side of it, and provided with a chimney, E', having-two; tubular branches, c7 o8, the latter one of which conducts the heat from the ame C5, and upward again between two clamps, c of the lamp through the hollow spool B4, and

c', over the roller G4, and downl through` a perpendicular metallic tube, D, to the needle, as indicated by the red line, Fig. 1.

A The transverse bar C5, by which 'the thread is drawn'down beneathV the surface of the 'wax in the cup C, is secured atoneend `tofa-cra5nk, i c2, the stern of which passes :transversely throughone side ot thewax-fcup; andi-carriles catches beneath a pin or stop, 015,*on the-side of the cup (l and holds the bar C5 `down in its place.

of the length of the roller.

proper central position, and thus -obviateany chang thereof in its passage fromr` thel roller- C4." The direction' of the incline tVthefsurfaces is transverse Tto the direction the-threadi takes. -Thes'eclamps are arranged withi-nfthea wax-cupj C and hinged 'togethf'erati'one euchl The v `opposi te ends? 'are7 securedf-togethen by; means 'of afthunibiscrew, c4.,VVA 'lheflowerjaww C, is secured to the waxfcupinan inclined position, and the upper jaw only is movable.

A 'The vclelgarnping-surf-'acesfof the two jawsnc'` 1c i are composed 'of' leather or other 'suit'ahles'ub-i stance whiehwill scrape oid the jsnrplusiwax; from the -threadandleave thi-s threadsmoothy asi't passes between the clampswV` Thieseclar'npslv can be made to act with any olesiredfpre'ssure upon the thread "as it= i-sdlfa'wn-f between?v then':

The two v'clampingjaws ce `are constructed von their meeting-faces withV inclineI surfaces which conform to'fthe 'sectional outline offany one side of the roller G4, 1which roller, represented, is' formed-4 ot' two truncatedcon'es i' with :their smaller ends'unitedat the middle? This'foirrn is 'given e to thesmoothiug-surf'acesofthe clamps,` ini order that th eyshall alwaysftendtofA `preventY a late-ral deflection' of the thread "froxn-ftlrel thus keeps thewaxed thread thereon warm and soft. The tube c7 conducts the heat forward beneath the forward part of the wax-cup Gf and keeps the tube D. warm, so that the threadwillwbe warmed down `tothieneedle. (Ehe llieellllebar A2 Awill also be warmed bysthe heat frornftlsrelitube:0?..- When it=isdesireduto wax the thread-ontswa f totheneedle the chimney Ef, with its tubes, is i removed and l the-fopen-t-op chimney (represented byFig. 13') iswplaced upona thellarrip E, and both arranged ,l beneaththewazncup..A i, f

Directly beneath the needle d, andseeured to Ith'el lower erlgeof the faceplate F, is-asmall waar-cup, El, (show-u in Fig.y 1,)intowhichfthe ofitlhe n'eedle after passing through the leather lwfhrichfis being' selwed.H The wax inthe cup E', together with" theafacc plate F and'call-the y partswhi'ch arenexposed lite lwaa beneathithe l tableeA, vare warmfediandrkept warm bymeans lot-a lamp ory gas;burnervarr-'anged asshow-nn ftla 1lampis employed, `a llong chimney, Jhfisfapplfied to:y zit, so A that it can bel adjuste'd up or down. f A:This 'chimney en'tersfal funlnelfFsg.whichutemiinates Iatitsf upperI `end in two tubular? branches, ef e, that are securedvat :0n thelower'and"ot"` the needle-loana needle, rctt--fandwanrawlgd,.are secured by `means I of- -a clammg, 'which islsecured tov the need-'leibariby =eansf-ot` two screws-1 (Shown-in Figs.y lf3 and '14,2 Sheet L 2:) n iBetween this t movable clampl platef andu the nieedlebanaa'sgroo ved plate, f 2; is li'nterposedy inethe grooves of iwhichfthe needle g `andkl awk-Shanks are. conhed when theclam p-g by adjusting the thumb-'screw c4,-fan'df-theyfwi.ll isbscrewed up. fclhe` object:oflhavingtamevanot only scrape oft' the/surplus Wai; and leave!` blefgroolved rplatettfz;risataadnfitfof` thellawlthe thread smooth, but they will also press-th1ei hein-gf.:set :auditterentf:distancesifrcmwthenee soft ,wa-X lintoy the body of the thread and leave it"']),erfectly waxed. i 1W f theA bracket-A4 so `as to vibrate ina-*verticali plane` coinciding with the planefoftheftakefup barB; 4 On the upper end;'ofthefbarD/apadlor friction-plate, D2, is pivoted,"soas tof-form a T-head on said bar. l This friction-1 padfis heldin contact with the threadl on the'fspool B4 by `means of a spring, D3,-which'L connects the bar D" tothe barB, as showuin Figui; At 'every backward` `stroke :of the bar B the friction-pad Dzis drawn closely (h1 contact with dl'enaccording toithedengfthi or? s tit ch required,

i fwhichd=settected by havinga number otgrooved v D', is a bar, whchis pivoted to the top 'oi'l Afplrafceslconiiesp'en'diin'gimnsice andvtbrl'nvto that' i shermrfint Fi g." 13, :but having grooves in them arranged at different distances apart. i\ e e "their extremities to the lower Vedge of the face- Y projectingfromlsaid `fp'lateand passing through f 0n thelforward'end of the plate Gr is a 2 tical tongue, e5, which projects downward and fits into a recess which is formed in the rear surface of the face-plate F. This tongue is made ot' hardened steel, and it has a groove formed in its rear surface for receiving and guiding the needle and awl as the needle-bar A2 descends, the needle and awl passing through an oblong hole through the horizontal portion of the plate G, as shown in Figs. l, 7, and 8.

, The shuttle H is supported upon askeletouframe, I, which projects from the slide I', and l the face ot' this shuttle is held against the vertical face of the plate F by means of a spring,

lr, acting upon the `back of the shuttle, asv

shown in Figs. 7 aud 8. The projection i of the skeleton-frame I precedes the point ot' the shuttle as the latter advances toward the needle to enter the loop ot' the upper thread, and presses the point of the needle back into its groove in the throat-plate or tongue e5, should the needle be bent out ot' a true vertical position.

The shuttle is prevented from rising out of its seat by the linger le', which projects from the slide I', as shown in Fig. 8.

ln Figs. 7 and l1, Sheet 2, I have represented a contrivance for producing tension upon the lower thread at the moment the shuttle begins to tighten the stitch in the work. This contrivance is secured to the bottom of the plate A3, and consists of a spring, p, one

end ot' which is secured to theinnerend ofthe plate A3, and the other end is secured to a lever, p, which has an adjusting-screw, p2, applied to its outer end for raising or depressing this end, and thus inclining the springp more or less, according to the amount of tension required., The spring p inclines from the inner end ot the plate A3 downward and outward, and this spring` is so arranged with reference to the position of the shuttle when completing its forward stroke that the thread of' the shuttle-bobbin will be held with greater or less pressure by the springp upon the highest tension-bar t2 ot' the shuttle. This pressure ofthe spring p, by reason ot' its inclination, will gradually increase as the shuttle moves forward beneath it, and the greatest tension will be produced on the thread of the shultle-bobbin at the moment of completing the stitch. When the shuttle begins to retreat from the spring p the pressure of this spring upon it will diminish. If desirable, an agate o'ra glass plate may be setupon the spring p, so as to att'ord a smooth surface to press upon the thread.

'It is obvious that the spring p may be adjusted at pleasure by turning the set-screw p2, and that the tension upon the thread of the shuttle-bobbin may be regulated at pleasure, whether the machine be in operatign or at rest.

The spiral sprin g p4 which is interposed between the outer end of the lever p and the plate A3, is intended for pressing this end of the lever down upon the thumb-screw p2.

The shuttle H,(shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 11) is formed with a recess in it to receive the bobbin It, and also two transverse bars, t2 t2, one ot' which is arranged above the other, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. There is also arranged within this` shuttle a curved` spring pressurepad, lt', which presses upon the thread upon the bobbin and prevents thebobbin from turning too freely. The curved pressure-pad is l applied to a stem, h2, which is acted upon by a spring, h3. (Shown in Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 1.)

A pin, It, which projects from the stem h2 toward the fiat surface of the shuttle, is used for retraetin g the pad It when it is desired to remove the bobbin-from the shuttle or to insert this bobbin in its place. l p

The bobbin ltmay consist of two circular auges and a central barrel, one end ot' which projects from one ot' the flanges, as shown in Fig. 6. The recess which is formed in the shuttle H to receive this transverse bobbin atfords bearings for the peripheries ot the flanges of the bobbin and enables me to dispense with the usual axial bearings. The projection on one end of the bobbin passes through the back of the shuttle-case, as shown in Fig. 6, Vand* is pressed upon when it is desired to remove the bobbin from the shuttle. Or the bobbiu may consist of a simple spool with two short journais; but with such a bobbiu the shuttle H is constructed with a pivoted clamp, l, which is let iiush into the longest face or side ot' the shuttle, one journal ot' the spool being fitted to turn in a circular hole formed in the clamp and the otherjournal in a hole bored through the shortest face or side oithe shuttle, as shown.

At the end ot' the clamp, just where its pivot passes through, a wedge-shaped enlargement is formed on it, aud this enlargem eut is pressed upon by a t/ or U shaped spring arranged within the shuttle, as shown in Figs. 6 62. The. action ot' the spring is to force the enlarged end ot' the clamp outward, and this has the eft'ect to press the long end of this leverclamp inward upon the bobbin, and thus produce tension upon it during its revolutions. lith this arrangement it is only necessary, in order to remove the bobbin, tol` ess the clamp out to the position shown in red lines in Fig. 62.

ln Figs. 15 and 16 ot' Sheet 3 I have represented a contrivance for taking and enlarging the loop which is formed by the raising ot' the needle, and through which the shuttle passes to form the stitch.

In consequence ot' the adhesive qualities ot' the wax which is used in waxed-thread sewingmachines the shuttle will not pass freely through the loop of the upper thread; and in order to obviate this objectionv the hook J (shown in Figs. l5 and 16) advances at the proper time and catches or takes the loop which is formed by the ascent of the needle, then recedes with the loop, and thus enlarges it for the free passage ot' the shuttle through it. As soon as the hook J ceases its backward movement it vibrates to one side and releases the loop, so that it can be drawn up as the needle rises.

The hook J is formed on the forward end of a iiat plate, J', which is arranged beneath the table A and heldin guides jj', the latter one of which is allowed to oscillate. The forward end of this plate J' is passed through a slot which is made through the shuttle-slide I' and its guide-bar K, which slot is of sufcient length to allow the hook J to vibrate freely.

The vibrating movement is imparted to the hookedplate J2 and hook J by means ot a cam, M, anda spring, J2. The cam M acts upon a friction-wheel, k2, which has its' bearings on a projection, 704, ot' plate J', and moves the hook J toward the loop in `a lateral direction. The spring J2 moves the said hook away from the loop when this loop has been suf` ciently enlarged, and at the same timemoves the said plate audits hook in a longitudinal or diagonal direction, thus bringing the hook J toa position to be moved up to another loop by the operation of the cani M.

The backward movement is given to the plate J' and its hook J by lneans of a roller, 7c3, onthe shuttle-slide I, acting upon acurved projection, 705, ot' the plate-J'.

The cam M is keyed to the main shaft N, which operates the shuttle-slide so that -the movements of the hooked looper will work in harmony with the movements of the needlebar and the shuttle.

The pressure-foot r, which is used for holding the work down upon the periphery of the feed-wheel, isa curved plate formed on the lower end of a spring-bar, r', which is pivoted at 'i2 to a vertical screw, 35. rlhis screw has a milled nut,.s, upon it, which is confined be,- tween two bearings that are securedto theface ofthe bracketA', as shown in Fig.7. By turning the nut sithe pivot i2 may be raised or depressed and the pressure adjusted for leather of varying thickness. The pivoted rod r2, with its nut s, is used for adjusting the pressure-foot and causing it to bear with greater or less force upon the work which is being sewed.

In- Fig. 4 I have represented a cylindrical face feed-wheel, P, which is constructed with a steel hoop or tire, P','shrunk around a cen- 'tral wheel of softer metal. The serrations are made upon theperiphery of the tire P' before the metal is hardened, and when hardened these serrations will remain sharpfor a considerable length ot' time. By constructing `a feed-wheel partly of steel and partly ofa softer metal it will be much cheaper than those'which are made wholly of steel, and muclrmoredurable than those which are made wholly of cast-iron or other metal which is softer than steel.l Byconstructingtherings or tires P' very thin they can bechilled and made to present a very durable serrated surface.

Having thus described .my invention, (what l1 claim as` new', and desire tosecure by; LettersPatent,-1s

l. The construction and arrangement ot' the upper waXin g, smoothing, and thread-controlling apparatus, as described, in combination with the heater, substantiallyr as set forth'.

2. The combination ot' the spool B4, vibrating take-np bar B, and a wax-cup, C, when these parts are arranged upon the bracket A', as described. y i

3. rEhe construction and arrangement of the wax-cup C, rollers C3 C4, depressed bar C5, and smoothing-pads@ c', in the manner and for the purpose described. t

4. Applying the bar C5 to a crank-arm which is furnished with a spring-catch arm, c3, in such manner that itcan be conveniently released and adjusted upward,aud also again moved down to its position andfastened,.substantially as described.

' 5. The metallic tubular spool B4, whichl is supported upon tubular bearings in such4 manner that heated air can be conducted through the spool for softening and keeping` soft. the

waxed thread upon it, substantially as described.

6. The chimney E', constructed with branching tubes c" c8,in combination with the hollow metallic spool B4 and the tubular heater D,.substantially as described. 7. The combination of the laterally-sliding pulleyB' on the take-up barB with the spool B4, when said take up bar is arranged directly in rear of thespool, substantially as described.

S. The construction and arrangement ot' the inclined-faced smoothing-pads c n', in combination with the double-cone roller C4, substantially as and for the purpose described.`

9. Theiconstruction and arrangement of the metallic device D upon the front of the needlebararm,in combination with aheater, whereby the upper waxed thread for an upper needle is kept warm and subjected to heat nearlydown to the needle, and whereby also heat is imparted to the needle-bar and needle, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the rewaxing-cup F', arrangedso that the needle will dip into it at every downward stroke of the needle-bar, with the upperwaxing-cup, C, both cups being subjectedto heaters, substantially as herein described. v-

ll. The construction ot' the attachment F3 ce, incombination with a lower heater,.al1ap plied solas tov heat all thoseparts of the machine which fare arranged below or beneath thetable'A andexposed to wax, substantially as described.`

12.y The combinationof the pressure-padD2 witlrtlic vibrating `takeupbar B,'substantially as described.

13. A spring,p,made adjustable,substantiallyas described, and applied to the table or plate A3 thereof in such' manner as toa-ct with an increased and its greatest tension `uponthe 1 thread which is passing from the shuttle-bob biujust-as the shuttle is'completing itsstroke,

- l ,lsubstan'tiallyasfaud for the-purpose set forth.

14. The combination of the inclined spring p, lever p', and adjusting-nut p2 With a shuttle, substantially as described.

15. The construction of a feed-Wheel with a serrated steel band, P', shrunk upon it, substantial157 as described.

16. The-removable grooved plate f2, in combination with the clamp g and needle-bar A2, substantially as and for the purposes described.

17. The arrangement of the elastic pressurepad rand its bar r2, in combination with the adjustable screw S5 and the nut s6, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. The hooked looper J J', constructed, arranged, and operated substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

19. The construction of the shuttle and bob-f p THOMAS JOHN HALLIGAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. OWENS, J Amtes VIRDoN. 

